KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today slammed the opposition, accusing it of trying to divert attention from issues involving Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) by making him the subject of political polemics.
He said the focus should instead be on those he described as “betrayers” of TH and the interests of the institution’s depositors, rather than making him the target of the debate.
“Do you want to debate about me or Tabung Haji? Do you want to know about me or the betrayal of Tabung Haji?
“Malay Muslims have been betrayed, yet there are still those who want to engage in political drama? What more when it comes from those who constantly champion Malay and Muslim causes,” he said in a Facebook post this afternoon.
He also questioned the position taken by Perikatan Nasional (PN), which is anchored by PAS, particularly over the interests of TH depositors from various walks of life.
“Does PN, which is anchored by PAS, not care about the interests of ordinary people — fishermen, farmers, teachers, police, soldiers and retirees — who work hard to save money in Tabung Haji to fulfil the fifth pillar of Islam?” he asked.
The post came after several opposition MPs walked out of the Dewan Rakyat and did not participate in this morning’s special sitting to discuss the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report on TH.
The opposition MPs were reportedly unhappy with Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul’s decision to proceed with the briefing in the absence of the Prime Minister and reject a proposal by PN chief whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan for the sitting to be postponed.
Anwar had earlier apologised for being unable to attend the special sitting as he was undergoing physiotherapy following an elective laparoscopic procedure to treat a para-umbilical hernia.
Today’s special Dewan Rakyat sitting was held to hear the Minister’s briefing on the RCI report on TH, as well as the efforts and measures taken to restore the institution’s financial position.
On July 29, the 211-page RCI report was made public, containing various findings on weaknesses in TH’s management and operations between 2014 and 2020, as well as 25 recommendations for improvement, of which 75 per cent had been implemented by TH as of July 30.
The government announced the establishment of the RCI in 2021, followed by the appointment of its members on Jan 20, 2022. The RCI subsequently presented its report to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Aug 30, 2022.
